St. Jude rep visits Mt. Juliet Chamber

The Mt. Juliet Chamber of Commerce received information Wednesday about a new home in Mt. Juliet that could be a big payoff for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Courtney Kissack, regional development representative for ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, spoke with the group about the hospital and one of its biggest fundraisers – St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway.

Kissack said the group builds about 30 Dream Homes across the country annually, and one in the Jackson Hills subdivision would be the first in Wilson County.

“Essentially, at the end of the day, we work with local builders who work within the local community to build a house and turn around and sell tickets for a chance to win the house. So, at the end of this, somebody is going to win a house and lives are going to be saved at St. Jude,” said Kissack, who said the group has built more than 400 homes.

Signature Homes will build the home. Kris Keown with Signature Homes said it wouldn’t be possible without the dozens of volunteers and vendors.

“As Jackson Hills took off, we started having discussions about moving a Dream Home to Mt. Juliet. We’re thrilled to death to be here. It’s been well received,” said Keown, who said the first goal is to work with vendors and suppliers to build the home with the least cost possible.

“Many of them donate their time and materials at 100 percent. Every year I’ m blown away from what they do,” he said.

Keown said, at completion, most homes are 60-70-percent donated. He said the second goal is to sell all 15,000 tickets at $100 each, which would net $1.5 million for St. Jude.

Kissack said the four-bedroom, four-bath home would be valued at $450,000, and tickets would go on sale next Tuesday.

“Ultimately, St. Jude is leading the way in the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer, and we won’t stop until no child dies from cancer,” Kissack said.